D. sabina, D. geijskesiも長い吻を備えるが,体盤の形状で区別される(図)。帯状の骨質粒状物も本種の著しい特徴だが,この形質は幼期には発現しない。 (上野・佐々木)
Distinctive characters:
Outer corner of disc rather abruptly curved, never broadly rounded. Disc width 1.1 times of disc length. Snout long, preoral length 1/4 of disc width, its tip acutely pointed. Eye smaller than spiracle, its diameter 1/5 of preoral length. Tail extremely long, its lengh 2.4〜3.0 times of disc width. A low longitudinal ridge behind tip of spine; a dermal fold on lower surface of tail originated at level of spine. Posterior part of pelvic extends well behind distal margin of disc in young (less than 25 cm DW), slightly behind in a larger specimen. Small flattened thorns distributed densely in a band along midline of back in specimens more than 25 cm DW.
Distribution:
West Indies, Gulf of Mexico to southern Brazil.
Remarks:
D. sabina and D. geijskesi are also characterized by long snout, but differ from the present species in the shape of disc (Fig.). A band of tubercles is distinctive for the species although it is absent when young. (Uyeno and Sasaki)